LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz warmly welcomed German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel, and appreciated her country’s timely message of solidarity and cooperation during recent floods.
She also appreciated Germany’s cooperation in modern agricultural technology, green technology and forestation; and welcomed further cooperation in the exchange of skilled manpower and Germany’s dual vocational training model.
She said, “Germany is a long-standing partner of Pakistan in tackling climate change, women empowerment, social protection and human development.” She added that G2G talks between Pakistan and Germany in November would further strengthen our partnership, as there are opportunities to further expand the long-standing relations between Pakistan and Germany at the provincial level.
The CM Punjab said she had envisioned a prosperous and modern Punjab where every citizen is empowered, Germany can be an important partner in fulfilling the dream. She added that in 2024, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Germany was US$3.63 billion, and Pakistan’s trade balance remained positive. She underscored that 40 German companies are already contributing to Pakistan’s economy by creating a lot of job opportunities.
CM Maryam said that environmental protection was her top priority, the recent devastating floods and cross-border smog were no doubt a big challenge.
She also discussed in the meeting matters relating to the promotion of education, increasing number of Pakistani students studying in Germany and innovation in curriculum. She appreciated the services of Annemarie Schimmel Haus (German Cultural Centre) in Lahore, and welcomed Germany’s cooperation in the promotion of sports in Pakistan.
She noted, “Recently, German junior hockey team visited Lahore, and we are looking forward to more sports exchanges and coaching opportunities.” She reiterated that Punjab values its relations with Germany a lot.
The CM stated that WASA operations had been extended from four to 23 districts. She said, “Institutions like WASA and ‘Suthra’ Punjab have improved lives of people in every area of Punjab.” She added that simultaneous high level of flood in three rivers and torrential rains for three months had caused the biggest flood in Punjab, but the timely evacuation, rescue and relief operations of the Punjab government made it possible to save millions of lives. Along with humans, lives of animals were also saved, as 2.2 million cattle were shifted from flood-hit areas to safe places across Punjab.
She flagged, “The diligence with which work was done during flood is the distinguishing feature of Punjab government. Everyone in flood-hit areas was sure that the government was with them and would take care of them.”
Maryam said the flood victims were also provided with accommodation, food, dry rations, hospitals, veterinary dispensaries and fodder. She added that health counters in field hospitals, clinics-on-wheels and flood relief camps made it possible to prevent many diseases.
The German ambassador visited Wasa Expo and lauded it. She acknowledged that there was a lot of flooding in various rural areas of Punjab but the government did a very good job.
Meanwhile, CM Maryam said in her message on World Access to Information Day that information and awareness are foundation of a bright society and a vibrant democracy.
She noted that access to information is essential for transparent governance, public trust and better decision-making. She highlighted that accurate and timely information empowers people, makes the government trustful and decision-making transparent.
The CM said the Information Department is a bridge to convey government’s message to the people, and the voice of people to the government. She added that Punjab government has ensured uninterrupted access to facts for every citizen by digitizing the information system.
Meanwhile, on CM Punjab’s directions, construction and repair of embankments in flood-affected areas have been completed in a record time. She appreciated Minister for Irrigation Kazim Ali Pirzada, Secretary Irrigation Wasif Khurshid and their entire team on achieving this success.
She was briefed by the authorities concerned that construction and repair of Nooraja Bhatta Dam in the outskirts of Muzaffargarh has been completed. They said that the crack caused by flood in the dam has been repaired, and construction of 1960-foot-long embankment affected by flood has been completed.
They added that a 1250-foot-long crack on Nooraja Bhatta Dam has been repaired, and it has been converted into a strong embankment up to 3450 feet.
Chief Minister Punjab was apprised by the relevant authorities that construction and repair of a 23,000-foot long distributor track in Hafizwala on motorway side has been completed, while a 410-foot-long crack on two roads has also been repaired. They said that work to repair a 33,700-foot-long crack is progressing rapidly, more than 80pc of the work has been completed. They added that construction and repair of 283-foot long crack on the Fourth Canal has also been completed.
Also, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz expressed a deep sense of grief and sorrow over death of six people in a traffic accident near Vehari. She offered condolences and extended her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.
